When we are young, our family guides us in correct social behavior. The family also teaches us how to be safe. This is for our own good. Sometimes the teachings of the family are a little too restrictive.

Young Jonathan is a seagull. He has been told how high a seagull can fly, and how fast a seagull can fly, but not why. "These are the rules, just obey them" is the message the rest of the flock tells him. This isn't a good enough reason for Jonathan.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull is all about finding your own limitations. What is the limit of the wisest of the birds might not be your limit. Jonathan violates the flock's rules about speed and altitude. He is seen as a hazard that must been banished for the good of everyone else.

Jonathan's life becomes lonely until he finds other seagulls who also fly faster and higher than the other flocks allow. All of the banished seagulls create their own flock where the more skillful teach the new. Jonathan learns to fly faster than he ever imagined possible.

This story is a masterpiece. No human characters appear in the film. Live seagulls are used in most of the scenes, with a few radio-controlled glider seagulls in the flying sequences.

Richard Bach, author of both the book and the screenplay, is very disappointed in the film. I've never heard why. Jonathan Livingston Seagull captures the essence of the book. It can be hard to find, but it's worth the search.